Lint remover having localized projections

ABSTRACT

A lint remover pads for garments, fabrics and the like having an adhesive surface on a paper or cardlike backing which is protected until readied for use by the removal of a releasable cover sheet. To enable the adhesively treated surfaces to penetrate areas between the nap, texture, knit or woven ribs the pad is formed with a great number of projections in the backing members. These formed projections carry the adhesive on their formed short stubs of pin or tooth-like configurations. These adhesively coated projections disturb and enter the spaces between ribs when wiped or patted so as to remove lint, dust, hair, dandruff and other light surface debris from these hard to reach areas as well as the remaining surface areas.

United States Patent [1 1 Huber 1 Sept. 23, 1975 LINT REMOVER HAVINGLOCALIZED PROJECTIONS [76] Inventor: W. Rene Huber, 42 Mill Glen Rd,

Upper Saddle River, NJ. 07458 [22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1973 [21] Appl. No:407,143

[52] U.S. Cl 15/104 A; 161/111; 161/406 [51] Int. C13... A47L 25/08;B32B 3/10; B32B 7/06 [58] Field ofSearch 15/104 A;161/111. 113, 161/167,406; 206/813 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,7491/1944 Wilbur 206/813 X 2,744,624 5/1956 Hoogstoel et a1 206/813 X3,158,887 12/1964 Kanbar et a1. 15/104 A 3,321,790 5/1967 Hand 15/104 A3,354,021 11/1967 Royet 161/111 3,505,699 4/1970 Trumbull 15/104 R3,655,501 4/1972 Tesch 161/167 X Primary ExaminerDaniel Blum Attorney.Agent, or Firm-Ralph R. Roberts [57] ABSTRACT A lint remover pads forgarments. fabrics and the like having an adhesive surface on a paper orcardlike backing which is protected until readied for use by the removalof a releasable cover sheet. To enable the ad' hesively treated surfacesto penetrate areas between the nap, texture, knit or woven ribs the padis formed with a great number of projections in the backing members.These formed projections carry the adhesive on their formed short stubsof pin or tooth-like configurations; These adhesively coated projectionsdisturb and enter the spaces between ribs when wiped or patted so as toremove lint, dlust, hair. dandruff and other light surface debris fromthese hard to reach areas as well as the remaining surface areas.

5"Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975

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LINT REMOVER HAVING LOCALIZED PROJECTIONS I BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With reference to the classificationof art as established in the United States Patent Officc the presentinvention relates to the art as found in the general Class entitled,Brushing, Scrubbing and General Cleaning" (Class 15) and moreparticularly to the subclass entitied, implements (subclass I04).

2. Description of the Prior Art Lint removers using a tacky or adhesivesurface for picking up lint or dirt from garments or fabrics are wellknown. Many such removers are on rollers and one of these incorporates areplaceable unit as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,231,918 to MARKS whichissued on Feb. 1, I966. A holdcr and replaceable cleaner unit is shownin US Pat. No. 3,336,616 to MARTIN and issued on Aug. 22, I967 In theseand similar US. Patents. as well as other lint removers known to theapplicant, means are not provided for the adhesive to enter the valleyareas between the ribs formed by knitting or weaving and/or sufficientlypenetrate and disturb the naps of the fabric. In the present inventionthe lint remover pad is formed with a multiplicity of sharp projectionswhich form short tooth-like or needle-like members. These projectionmembers, when the protective release cover is removed, provide adhesivecoated teeth. These projections of the lint remover pad when moved overthe fabric enter the valleys to remove lint and dust from the fabric.,The projections further do disturb the fabric surface so as to causethe lint and dust to become more easily attached and accepted by theadhesive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention may be summarized at least inpart with reference to its objects.

It is an object ofthis invention to provide, and it does provide. a lintremover pad in which a backing member having a tacky adhesive surfacehas localized projections formed therein to provide tacky membersadapted to enter valley portions or the nap texture of fabric to removelintand the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide. and.

it does provide. a disposable lint remover pad having a fleitiblebacking member of cardboard or rigid paper. One face of this backingmember is coated with a tacky adhesive which is protected until time ofuse by a release sheet of treated paper. A closely spaced pattern ofpin-like projections is formed in backing member and the applied releasesheet resulting in the formation of small short pin-like projectionshaving an adhesive coating. When uncovered these projections are adaptedto enter into the valley portions or nap of the fabric being cleaned.These projections cause added.

backing member. While in this assembled condition a pattern of pin-likeprojections are formed in the pad by using a die means having agreatnumber of metal pins to cause hollow pin or n'c'edlle-like projectionsto be formed from the backing side through the adhesive coated side ofthe pad.

In addition to the above summary the following disclosure is detailed toinsure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention. Thisdisclosure. however. is not intended to prejudice that purpose of apatent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matterhow it may later be disguised byvariations in form or additions offurther improvements. For this reason there has been chosen .a specificembodiment of the lint remover padhaving localized projections asadopted for use for removing debris from fabrics. This pad is shown intwo embodiments chosen for the purposes of illustration and descriptionas shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWING FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of alint remover pad in which an end of the release paper has been separatedfrom the adhesive surface of the pad. this pad depicted as havingpin-like projections of round configuration;

FIG. 2 represents an isometric view of a lint remover pad as in FIG. Ibut with the pin projections formed with a tapered four sidedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 represents a fragmentary sectional side view in a greatlyenlarged scale of the pad of FIG. I, this view taken on the line 33thereof and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 represents a fragmentary sectional view in a greatly enlargedscale of the pad of FIG. 2, this view taken on the line 4-4 thereof andlooking in the direction of the arrows; v

FIG. 5 represents a plan viewof a fragmentary yet typical portion of thepad of FIGS. I and 3. this view in a slightly reduced scale from that ofFIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows on the line 5-5 ofFIG. 3, and

FIG. 6 represents a plan view of a fragmentary yet typical portion ofthe pad of FIGS. 2 and 4, this view in a slightly reduced scale of FIG.4 and looking in the direction of the arrows on the line 66 of FIG. 4.

In the following description and in the claims various details will beidentified by specific names for convenience, these names, however. areintended to be generic in their. application. Corresponding referencecharacters refcr to like portions throughout the several figures of thedrawing.

The drawing accompanying. and forming part of. this specificationdiscloses certain details of construction for the purpose of explanationbut it should be understood that structuraldetails may be modified andthat theinvention may be incorporated in other structural forms thanshown. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PAID OF FIGS. I. 3 and 5 Referring now to the drawingand the lint remover pad as seen in FIGS. 1,3and 5, the pad depicted isgenerally rectangular in configuration and has a backing member 10 whichis of light cardboard or heavy paper having a good tear resist. On thelower surface of the backing member 10 is applied a tacky adhesivematerial to provide an adhesive surface 12 This adhesive is like orsimilar to adhesives used on known lint re moving rollers. pads and thelike. A release sheet 14 is placed on and over this adhesive surface 12to permit further processing of the pad and shipment of the pad to theuser. It is contemplated that this release sheet 14 will remain in placeuntil the user strips it from the pad to expose the adhesive in a cleantacky condition to lift the lint and dirt from the fabric I surface tobe cleaned. I

Preferably in, a regular. staggered pattern there is formed in both thebacking l0 and release sheet 14 a great number of pin-like projections16. As reduced to practice. these projections are formed by forcing ametal pin of a few thousandths of an inch in diameter and a sharpenedconfiguration through the backing 10. the adhesive layer 12 and therelease sheet 14. The resulting pin-like projections extend outwardlyfrom the adhesive side and generally normal to the pad. As seen in FIG.3. the several projections it) are hollow. tapered portions which. asreduced to practice and with the release paper l4removed. may extendonly one sixty-fourth to one thirty-second of an inch. The projectingportions carry the adhesive 1 2 with them so that all sides of pinprojections 16 are adhesive covered to provide an embossed pattern ofprojections rather than a punctured pattern of projections.

Description of the Pad of FIGS. 2. 4 and 6 Referring next and finally tothe lint remover pad of FIGS. 2.4 and 6, a back member 20 is like member10 inconliguration and substance. Adhesive 22 like adhesive I2 isftzicky" and is applied to one surface of the backing member 20. Arelease sheet 24 is placed on and over the adhesive like release sheet[4. This releasesheet protects the adhesive surface until it is removedby the user to expose the adhesive surface to pickup lint. dirt. etc. i

in a staggered pattern as in the pad of FIG. I. the pad of Fl (i 2 haspin-like projections 26 formed therein. A tour sided tapered pin memberis forced through the back membcr 20. adhesive 22 and release sheet 24.These form a hole having a square cross-section in which the pin-likeprojections are also tapered. As reduced to practice. they extend onesixty-fourth to one thirty-second of an inch from the adhesive coatedside of the back member 20 and like projections provide an embossedpattern of projections rather than a punctured pattern of projections.All sides of these projec tions are adhesive covered.

Thesixe. configuration and extent of projection is. of

course. a matter of selection. The pins forming the projections may bethree sided. four or more sided and have an ellipse cross eetion orcombinations thereof. The shape ofthe pin-like projection and thepattern arrangeinent is merely a matter of choice. The resultingpin-like projections extending from the adhesive side of the backingmember are used in cleaning the fabric. The size and shape of the pad isa matter of choice.

Use of the Lint Remover Pad adhesive in the usual manner. The cloth orfabric to be cleaned is then patted or rubbed by the adhesive surface toremove the lint or dirt on the surface. The lint or dust that is in thevalleys between the ribs or in the nap of the fabric is removed bymoving the pad along the fabric with the projections entering thevalleys or surface texture to disturb. engage and pick up the dust andlint. After the adhesive surface becomes loaded with lint and/or dust itis discarded. As the pad assembly of this invention requires noauxiliary equipment it is low in cost and is contemplated to be athrow-away" item. It is also contemplated that in most cases the backingmaterial is printable to permit advertising messages to be affixed anddisplayed.

Terms such as up. down. bottom. top. front, back." in. out and the likeare applicable to the two embodiments shown and described in conjunctionwith the drawing. These terms are merely for the purposes of descriptionand do not necessarily apply to the position in which the lint removermay be constructed or used.

It is to be understood the invention is not limited to theconfigurations but that modifications may be made within-the scope ofthe accompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extentthe prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

l. A lint remover pad for fabrics. said remover as prepared for theeventual use by the user including: (a) a flexible sheet providing abacking member of paper material and having sufficient rigidity toretain defor mations such as made by sharpened pins; (b) a permanently"tacky" adhesive material applied as a coating to substantially all ofone surface of the backing member; (c) a releasable and removableprotective cover sheet contiguously placed on the "tacky" adhesivelycoated surface to protect said surface against undesired contamination.and (d) a multiplicity of tooth shaped short projections formed in thebacking member throughout the same by piercing the sheets with sharpenedpins. said projections extending from the adhesively coated side andcarrying on their outer surfaces the tacky adhesive. said projectionsbeing sufficiently rigid to act as comb-like teeth so that as and afterthe protective cover sheet has been removed and the pad is moved overand patted on the fabric being cleaned these projections. when movedacross the cloth. enter into the nap. rib and valley portions to engagethe debris therein and to cause added disturbance to the fibers thusincreasing the pads ability to draw foreign matter to its adhesivesurface.

2. A lint remover pad as in claim 1 in which L a n the projections areformed in the pad by using a die means having a great number of metalsharpened pin projections and applying the die to the uncoated side ofthe flexible sheet so that hollow projections are formed in both thebacking member and to a lesser extent in the protective cover.

3. A lint remover pad as in claim 2 in which the metal pin projectionsare conical in configuration.

4. A lint remover pad as in claim 2 in which the metal pin projectionshave a plurality of sides arranged in a tapered configuration.

5. A lint remover pad as in claim 2 in which the pin projections arearranged in a staggered pattern.

1. A LINT REMOVER PAD FOR FABRICS, SAID REMOVER AS PREPARED FOR THEEVENTUAL USE BY THE USER INCLUDING:(A) A FLEXIBLE SHEET PROVIDING ABACKING MEMBER OF PAPER MATERIAL AND HAVING SUFFICIENT RIGIDITY A RETAINDEFORMATIONS SUCH AS MADE BY SHARPENED PINS, (B) A PERMANENTLY TACKY"ADGESUVE MATERIAL APPLIED AS A COATING TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ONE SURFACEOF THE BACKING MEMBER,(C) A RELEASABLE AND REMOVABLE PROTECTIVE COVERSHEET CONTIGUOUSLY PLACED ON THE "TACKY" ADHESIVELY COATED SURFACE TOPROTECT SAID SURFACE AGAINST UNDESIRED CONTAMINATION, AND (D) AMULTIPLICITY OF TOOTH SHAPED SHORT PROJECTIONS FORMED IN THE BACKINGMEMBER THROUGHOUT THE SAME BY PIERCING THE SHEETS WITH SHARPENED PINS,SAID PROJECTIONS EXTENDING FROM THE ADHESIVELY COATED SIDE AND CARRYINGON THEIR OUTER SURFACES THE "TACKY" ADHESIVE, SAID PROJECTIONS BEINGSUFFICIENTLY RIGID TO ACT AS COMB-LIKE TEETH SO THAT AS AND AFER THEPROTECTIVE COVER SHEET HAS BEEN REMOVED AND THE PAD IS MOVED OVER ANDPATTED ON THE FABRIC BEING CLEANED THESE PROJECTIONS, WHEN MOVED ACROSSTHE CLOTH, ENTER INTO THE NAP, RIB AND VALLEY PORTIONS TO ENGAGE THEDEBRIS THEREIN AND TO CAUSE ADDED DISTURBANCE TO THE FIBERS THUSINCREASING THE PAD''S ABILITY TO DRAW FOREIGN MATTER TO ITS ADHESIVESURFACE.
 2. A lint remover pad as in claim 1 in which the projectionsare formed in the pad by using a die means having a great number ofmetal sharpened pin projections and applying the die to the uncoatedside of the flexible sheet so that hollow projections are formed in boththe backing member and to a lesser extent in the protective cover.
 3. Alint remover pad as in claim 2 in which the metal pin projections areconical in configuration.
 4. A lint remover pad as in claim 2 in whichthe metal pin projections have a plurality of sides arranged in atapered configuration.
 5. A lint remover pad as in claim 2 in which thepin projections are arranged in a staggered pattern.